WISH Away the Pounds--January 2013 challenge--Everyone Welcome!

[Rose&Mike]

Saw this today:

Fall seven times. Stand up eight. Japanese proverb

In other words, just keep swimmin.
Happy Friday!

 

[Eliza32]

Hi Rose&Mike

You should be able to add up the column of original weights (call it column A) then add up the column of finishing weights (Call it column B) the subtract total of column B from total of column A and voila, all done

I'll work out the time zone difference and make sure I post in time, thanks

E

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Good afternoon. I am glad I inspired the QOTD.

Well we all know that I had WAY too much fat in my diet. I can't just watch calories.

Since dh's heart 'event' (which is what they call it), we have to stick within reasonable guidelines of good fat vs bad fat.

His cholesterol is through the roof. Mine was elevated last check up but nothing alarming.

Stayed tuned....his blood draw is the week of Feb 18th.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Hi Rose&Mike

You should be able to add up the column of original weights (call it column A) then add up the column of finishing weights (Call it column B) the subtract total of column B from total of column A and voila, all done

I'll work out the time zone difference and make sure I post in time, thanks

E

Eliza, London is 5 hours ahead of us. So you just need to make sure you post before 10pm your time.

 

[pjlla]

So I tried this. So far it is going to need a lot of work for me to be able to use it. I made it with Unsweetened Almond milk, vanilla and Truvia originally. YECH! Didn't like it at all. Went and bought some Xanthun Gum and tried to thicken it to see if that would help.

*NOTE* Xanthun Gum thickens as it sits!!!!! I woke up this morning to a jar of pudding! Guess I added too much since it didn't seem to do anything when I put it in last night.

It was also a lumpy mess because I didn't use the blender, I just shook the jar vigorously. Threw it in the blender and added more almond milk, Truvia and vanilla. Still yech. It is closer but I think the problem now is not enough vanilla flavor and too much Truvia. I am okay with it in small amounts but for the amount I need for my coffee-- I like a little coffee to water down my cream and sugar! -- it just has the icky, nasty artificial sweetener taste. This is why I don't just switch to SF Flavored creamer.

So going to try a few more things. Need to play with the nutritional content if I use real sugar or maybe 1/2 sugar, 1/2 truvia. If I can get the fat down that will help a lot. I also have some Unsweetened Coconut Milk I may try experimenting with. I also wonder about using a French Vanilla Coffee Syrup to get that stronger vanilla flavor. But again, the SF probably will be too "artifical" tasting to me and the regular has too much sugar. And all these ingredients are expensive! So I may just have to give up coffee.

So in addition to my coffee failure I made eggs for breakfast but DD had used the last of MY local fresh eggs so I had to use store bought. I used a different pan because it was already out and they ended up sticking like crazy and overcooked quickly. I really don't care for the store bought eggs anyway so overcooked just isn't an option.

In summary, I am now drinking a cup of coffee with my regular International Delight coffee creamer and have had 2 slices of bacon for breakfast. Hopefully I burned enough calories trying to make everything that it will balance out!!

Sorry about your breakfast disasters! How about trying the creamer recipe with stevia? I think Truvia is made in part with it. I am fortunate that I've always enjoyed my hot coffee without sweetener. That being said, I did get in the habit of adding some Coffeemate Hazelnut creamer some years ago and had to go OFF coffee totally for a while in order to give up the creamer. When I added coffee back to my diet I started with just milk, eventually down to lowfat milk and even occasionally black.

Maybe it is time to make the switch to green tea??

not sure what the song is actually about but when I heard it I kept thinking of the WISH boards and how if we get lost, the wagon always circles back to find us. And that we are not alone because this is home.

*******************

DD was listening to that song last night (one of her current favorites) and commenting that you had posted the lyrics. I hadn't seen the post yet and was a little confused. "My Buffy?" "She posted song lyrics?" "Why are you on my Disboards thread??" She loves to "stalk" this thread I think! Anyhow, I'm glad that song makes you think of us and that we are always here for each other!

Finally settling back into a routine after the whirlwind trip to DC. Had a blast, froze our butts off, got to see Dad in all his glory. And managed to eat pretty much OP and maintained my weight within .2 pounds even though we spent 24 hours of the trip in the car and eating fast food.


How wonderful for your Dad and for you to be there to see him! (Still waiting for pictures, btw!) And amazing that you were able to maintain! Car eating is a huge problem for me!

So, yesterday I gave up chocolate. Last year it was soda, now I'm moving on to my biggest addiction. I realized at the grocery store, every single snack type thing I usually buy has chocolate in it. I don't think I go a day without something chocolaty, and there are times when I don't even realize it. It has become a problem. The 24th was the day I gave up soda, so I figured that would be an easy date to remember.

I am not gonna lie, this is going to be hard for me so I need y'alls help and support.

Wow! I can imagine that this will be tough. I'm here if you need to vent!

Ok gonna go hit the dreadmill for a bit and try to warm up, I am soooo over this cold weather. It's not funny anymore Mother Nature!!!!!!!!!

I agree!!

QOTD: Kind of a tough question. I don't eat red meat, but I do try to eat some almonds just about every day. I also don't eat butter or margarine but usually use spray butter (aka butter flavored water), and have a daily dose of chocolate. Not too much, maybe just a baby Kit Kat, one PB Cup or my fave, dark chocolate. I think the majority of my fat comes from my "crack" - cheese. I like to snack on lowfat string cheese and once a week the DH and I go to happy hour at a local wine bar. They have this great dish of cheddar and some kind of parmesan reggiano that I think is quickly pan fried to make it a little bit crispy. OMG!!!! I salivate just thinking about it!

I know I should probably incorporate some more healthy fats in on a daily basis, but boy do they chew up the WW points!

They certainly do, but if you go back to WW basics, they really insist that you incorporate at least a minimum of healthy fats. Have you ever tried making your own salad dressing using EVOO? That is an easy way to add that healthy fat. And how about some nut butters? Almond butter is delicious!

******************

Happy Sunny Saturday! How many of you know EXACTLY what you were doing 15 years ago today?? I do! Fifteen years ago today I gave birth to my second child, my only son.... on the side of the road!! Yup.... didn't make it to the hospital. He was in some darn hurry to get here. Total labor... from the moment I realized I was having contractions to the moment he popped out was just barely 6.5 hours.

I was absolutely GOB-SMACKED that he was a BOY, as I was totally thinking I was having a second girl (no ultrasound, just intuition). You could have knocked me over with a feather when the paramedics said "it's a boy!" I was thrilled beyond belief. I was absolutely TICKLED PINK when my first child was a girl. And then blessed beyond measure to have a boy.

He was a "surprise" pregnancy and I must say that God absolutely KNEW what he was doing when he sent DS to us.

Anyhow.... today will start slow and get busy. DD's high school swim meet isn't until 8pm tonight!! And DS has robotics at 4:30 (car pool will pick him up at 3:45). He and I will dash out this morning and buy a birthday cake for him to take to robotics. I would go out alone for it right now, but he wanted to help pick it out.

This morning will be filled with exercise, online training, and some (of course) housework and laundry. Mid-terms are over, so the kids have a bit of a break in terms of homework for this weekend, although DD has to read the entire novel "Frankenstein" by Monday.

Dinner at Unos last night was good. I chose a 9 Point half pizza that was very satisfying. I started with a garden salad (picked off the croutons, since they looked very greasy) and used the fork-dipping method with the lowfat blueberry pomegranate dressing (yum!). Enjoyed my side of seasonal roasted veggies (a bit greasy and tiny portion, but yummy) and ate DS's pickle and then dug into my roasted eggplant, spinach, and feta half pizza on five grain crust. It was very tasty. I split my last piece with DD who shared a bite or two of her sirloin with me.

Dessert was delicious and waaay over the top calorie-wise, but hey, it was a birthday party! The four of us shared one of their mega cookie sundaes. Won't even MENTION how many calories they are! But it was the MAIN reason we were there! DS agreed after the meal that he probably ate too much and was almost too full to enjoy the dessert. So I suggested that if he wants it again next year that we either make one at home or go to the restaurant just for dessert after a lighter meal at home. He thought that was a good idea.

Obviously after that last night I need to be super careful this weekend to stay OP. Splurge is done for the week! Even BEFORE dessert I was over my Points for the day. Assuming worst case scenario that I used at least HALF of my weekly Flexpoints for that dessert, I am going to have to be super careful this week. I'm going to have to watch every little lick, bite, and nibble.... things that I am not always as careful about as I should be because I usually figure those are my "uncounted" Flexpoints that I don't usually use!

Off to do some web training before the rest of the family rises! (Well... DD is surprisingly up already!)........................P

 

[lisah0711]

Good morning all!

Please be sure and PM those weigh in numbers to Rose if you are weighing in this week-end. It's so fun to see all the colors change on the first page!

Today let's talk about things we should be adding to our diets . . . with a little excerpt from an article from sparkpeople.com

13 Shortcuts to Meet Your 5-a-Day Quota
Easy Ways to Eat More Fruits and Veggies
-- By Erin Whitehead, Health and Fitness Writer

We all know we should be eating our fruits and vegetables. Youve probably heard the recommendations for meeting a 5-a-day quota, or seen the USDAs recommendation to fill half of your plate with fruits and veggies during each meal. And you probably already know that eating fruits and vegetables provides a number of important health benefits, like reducing the risk of chronic diseases and heart disease and helping you manage your weight. Eating a diet filled with veggies and fruits might also protect against certain cancers and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

With all of those benefits, youd think the entire human population would be chowing down on bok choy and snacking on spinach. But not everyone has a built-in love for the produce department. If you struggle to fit in your fruits and vegetables, read on for some tips and tricks to make eating a healthier diet easier than ever!

Tips for Increasing Your Fruit and Vegetable Intake

1. Eat a fruit or vegetable with every meal.

2. Snack smart.

3. Drink up. (watch this one because those calories add up fast )

4. Slurp some soup!

5. Be ready at all times.

6. Keep them in sight, in mind.

7. Lunch at the salad bar at a local store.

8. Start smart (begin your meal with salad).

9. Bag it up (if bagged items help you to eat more they are worth the expense).

10. Use the freezer.

11. Chop them up.

12. Pack portable produce.

13. Find the ones you love (don't be afraid to eat mostly your favorites but remember to try a new one every once in awhile. You may find a new favorite! ).

Here is a link to the entire article if you are interested http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=1795

QOTD Saturday, January 26, 2013: How do you get your five-a-day servings fruit and vegetable? Are there any of these tips that work for you or do you have your own to share?

I'll be back with replies and my answer to the QOTD.

 

[pjlla]

Good morning all!

QOTD Saturday, January 26, 2013: How do you get your five-a-day servings fruit and vegetable? Are there any of these tips that work for you or do you have your own to share?

I'll be back with replies and my answer to the QOTD.

Well.... 5 a day is good, but I think we should all be aiming for at least 9-10 servings a day (with about 2/3 of that being non-starchy veggies). That being said, I, like many people, struggle just to get in the recommended 5 servings!

I definitely go with #1 and try to have a serving or two of vegetable with every single meal (including breakfast). Spinach in my eggs is routine.... plus I will add onions, pepper, mushrooms, broccoli... whatever is on-hand...especially dinner leftovers. I don't always have fruit for breakfast but if I am working I will bring it for morning snack, which leads to.....

My snacks are almost always a piece of fruit or include a serving of fruit along with some protein (lowfat cheese or nuts).

I do use my juicer on occasion, but when trying to watch the calories/sugar, I do have to limit the juice. Plus I think that WHOLE FRUITS AND VEGGIES are a better choice overall than just the juice. Other than homemade fruit/veggie juice, I do NOT drink any kind of juice.

I do keep fresh produce on hand at all times. In my kitchen, being without fresh produce is the same emergency level as most folks consider when being without milk, bread, and eggs. When a big storm is expected around here, we call them "French toast storms" because folks seem to FLOCK to the stores to stock up on these three staples (honestly.... would you STARVE without these???).... but in my house we run out to stock up on apples, spinach, spring mix, grapefruit, berries, broccoli, etc.!

Every lunch or dinner meal I serve here includes at least one non-starchy vegetable and often two or more. I have been known to serve spinach salad with berries for breakfast as well. Even if it is just jarred organic applesauce, I always try to serve produce with breakfast when feeding all of us.

I do keep "emergency" vegetables in the freezer for those times when we are just plain out of fresh. Green beans and broccoli are the standards.

I don't hesitate to buy prewashed boxed spring mix and baby spinach because even though it is a bit more expensive, I KNOW it will get eaten, unlike those big heads of romaine that need to be washed and chopped, etc. I buy baby carrots for snacking, but will buy big carrots when I know I am making a stew or soup because they are much cheaper.

I will also buy prechopped veggies and fruits if I am in a hurry or if they are on sale. When you look at the unit price of unhealthy things like potato chips and ribs, I'd rather be spending my money in the produce department!

I try to find recipes that include LOTS and LOTS of vegetables.... it cuts down on the meat and carbohydrates and makes a lighter meal for all of us! Almost all of my favorite recipes include lots of veggies and I often find ways to add MORE veggies to existing recipes.

GREAT question!...........P

 

[lisah0711]

Yes, I guessed that! It appears that I kind of answered the QOTD already before it was asked!

LOL! Do you happen to know the winning lottery numbers this week?

Good for you for eating so many REAL foods! Imagine how empty the grocery store shelves here in America would be if they started banning all of the Franken-foods that most Americans eat these days!

Isn't that the truth?

So I tried this. So far it is going to need a lot of work for me to be able to use it.

Thanks for being our "guinea pig" on this one! Hope things got better for you after all that!

I'm finally getting back into this thread after a marathon, a vacation, and returning to the tundra that is Minnesota!

I reached my January goal of losing 3 pounds before we left for our trip - but I knew I'd be eating all kinds of yummies on vacation, so I didn't report it. Today I did my final weigh in for the month though, and I managed to keep those 3 pounds off. (A marathon and 24-hour stomach bug in WDW might have had something to do with that.)

I posted a marathon recap in that thread in the Events forum, I'll try to figure out a link to the post if anyone wants to read it. I still can't believe I finished! My first marathon! (When I say first, that makes it sound like there will be others...hmm...we'll see!)

Congratulations on your marathon finish, Nicole! I read your report. It was so darn hot that day. I'm glad I got to say hello while we were scream teaming. And I am really happy to see that you are doing the DDD. I'll be there, too, and want to be sure to meet again!

not sure what the song is actually about but when I heard it I kept thinking of the WISH boards and how if we get lost, the wagon always circles back to find us. And that we are not alone because this is home.

Thanks for sharing!

I'm so glad that you had a great time in DC making memories of a lifetime for all the generations in your family.

I know I should probably incorporate some more healthy fats in on a daily basis, but boy do they chew up the WW points!

Isn't that the truth?

QOTD Friday

On my diet plan (Slimming World - largest slimming club in the UK) fats are just a small part of the plan. The diet works by designating certain foods 'free' (unrestricted) and certain as healthy A choices (dairy) and certain as healthy B choices (fibre).

It's a bit like food combining, works brilliantly. If any of you are interested in taking a look, here's a link www.slimmingworld.co.uk

Thanks for sharing the information about slimmingworld! I think one of the reasons that there are so many different programs available is that to our adaptive evolution not everything works for everyone and what works for you today may not work tomorrow so it's always good to see what else is out there.

Saw this today:

Fall seven times. Stand up eight. Japanese proverb

In other words, just keep swimmin.
Happy Friday!

Thanks for sharing!

Good afternoon. I am glad I inspired the QOTD.

Well we all know that I had WAY too much fat in my diet. I can't just watch calories.

Since dh's heart 'event' (which is what they call it), we have to stick within reasonable guidelines of good fat vs bad fat.

His cholesterol is through the roof. Mine was elevated last check up but nothing alarming.

Stayed tuned....his blood draw is the week of Feb 18th.

Good luck to you both! I'm sure all the great positive changes that you are making will pay off.

Eliza, London is 5 hours ahead of us. So you just need to make sure you post before 10pm your time.

Thanks for doing the math, Buffy.

Happy Sunny Saturday! How many of you know EXACTLY what you were doing 15 years ago today?? I do! Fifteen years ago today I gave birth to my second child, my only son.... on the side of the road!! Yup.... didn't make it to the hospital. He was in some darn hurry to get here. Total labor... from the moment I realized I was having contractions to the moment he popped out was just barely 6.5 hours.

What a great story, Pamela! Happy birthday to your DS! I'm glad you enjoyed your birthday celebrations yesterday.

to your DD having to read "Frankenstein" in a single week-end. They just finished that novel in DS' class and it was a toughie. :scared2: Now they are reading "Chew On This" for English and already I have been told that none of us are ever eating fast food again.

QOTD Saturday, January 26, 2013: How do you get your five-a-day servings fruit and vegetable? Are there any of these tips that work for you or do you have your own to share?

I love free fruits and vegetables on the WW plan. It is the only thing saving me from going way over my points as I get used to this new way of life. I have to admit that it is way easier for me to add fruits as opposed to vegetables.

Have a great day all!

 

[lisah0711]

Well.... 5 a day is good, but I think we should all be aiming for at least 9-10 servings a day (with about 2/3 of that being non-starchy veggies). That being said, I, like many people, struggle just to get in the recommended 5 servings!

You are so right, Pamela! We should all be aiming for that 5-10 range.

Thanks for the comment on the QOTD. It's been so long since I coached a week that wasn't the start of a challenge and I can't recycle my usual repetroire. But I've been doing tons of reading lately so should have some good questions, I hope.

I just signed up for a River Walk class at my Kroc center this morning and got a chuckle out of the fact that you can't do the class if you are over 100!

 

[Eliza32]

QOTD Saturday

On the Slimming World diet that I am following, it is recommended that a third of each of your 3 meals each day are 'superfree' items. This is all fresh or frozen fruits (not cooked) and most vegetables (starchy veg like potatoes, peas and sweetcorn are not included). Veg can be hidden in soups, stews, pasta dishes etc, so I guess I'm probably nearing the 8 or 9 servings a day level right now. Most of my weekly shopping bill seems to be on fruit & veg. I seem to be making a lot of visits to the ladies room too these days

 

[Rose&Mike]

I have updated the first page.

I am usually pretty good at getting in my fruits and veggies--the whole vegetarian thing helps. But there is so much junk food out there that I could easily go a whole day without any meat, fruits or veggies.

Let's see tricks and tips. Add fruit to your pancakes or french toast. Yummy and you are less likely to pile on the syrup. Buy plain yogurt and add fresh or frozen fruit, again less sugar or artificial sweeteners. Chop up kale and lightly steam--it can then be added to just about anything. It's especially good in macaroni and cheese. Top pizza that is cooked with arugula and throw back in oven for a minute. Hummus and carrots--it's what's for lunch. Actually I eat hummus and carrots almost every day I work. Bean burgers are really easy to make and you can put all kinds of extra veggies in them. Roasted veggies are quick and easy and again can be added to anything. Pomegrante seeds are amazing and make a fabulous salad topping. The salad I had the other day had fresh orange juice and evoo as a dressing. So easy--and good fats and fruit juice at the same time. This was kind of a stream of consciousness thing--hope it makes sense.

I hope everyone is having a great Saturday. I did speed work on the treadmill. I am training for a pr for the half I am running late April. It was my first official speed work and it went pretty well.

Keep those weights coming in.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Pamela

DD was listening to that song last night (one of her current favorites) and commenting that you had posted the lyrics. I hadn't seen the post yet and was a little confused. "My Buffy?" "She posted song lyrics?" "Why are you on my Disboards thread??" She loves to "stalk" this thread I think! Anyhow, I'm glad that song makes you think of us and that we are always here for each other!

LOL love her!! She can creep all she wants.

Tell her DS16 says hey, and misses her. He wants to hang out!

 

[50sjayne]

quotd's:

Fat's--it seems like I eat way too much but when I've done MFP I always end up short on it. I need to keep guacamole around more. I like the costco packs but the stuff goes bad so fast...

Fruit and veggie- when I have a lunch at work (rare anymore) I like to have a piece of fruit and sometimes a v-8. I've tried to eat more veggies but really don't ever come close to 5 servings a day.

Booked a room for St. Patty's day weekend through priceline express. They're doing a sort of hotwire thing now where you can see amenities and area but don't know what you get until you book it. Had a 10% off code so the room total for 2 days with tax & fees was 150 and got the Shilo at the convention center. Not my first choice but it's free parking and close to the MAX so it'll work. I was willing to let it go but my husband had to mention the bagpipes...they have the most amazing pipers up there.

 

[pjlla]

You are so right, Pamela! We should all be aiming for that 5-10 range.

Thanks for the comment on the QOTD. It's been so long since I coached a week that wasn't the start of a challenge and I can't recycle my usual repetroire. But I've been doing tons of reading lately so should have some good questions, I hope.

I just signed up for a River Walk class at my Kroc center this morning and got a chuckle out of the fact that you can't do the class if you are over 100!

Watch out for those geriatric types! They might surprise you!

Pamela

LOL love her!! She can creep all she wants.

Tell her DS16 says hey, and misses her. He wants to hang out!

Wish you were closer!

quotd's:

Fat's--it seems like I eat way too much but when I've done MFP I always end up short on it. I need to keep guacamole around more. I like the costco packs but the stuff goes bad so fast...

Fruit and veggie- when I have a lunch at work (rare anymore) I like to have a piece of fruit and sometimes a v-8. I've tried to eat more veggies but really don't ever come close to 5 servings a day.

Booked a room for St. Patty's day weekend through priceline express. They're doing a sort of hotwire thing now where you can see amenities and area but don't know what you get until you book it. Had a 10% off code so the room total for 2 days with tax & fees was 150 and got the Shilo at the convention center. Not my first choice but it's free parking and close to the MAX so it'll work. I was willing to let it go but my husband had to mention the bagpipes...they have the most amazing pipers up there.

Glad you were able to find an affordable room for your getaway.

Have you ever seen the Wholly Guacamole 100 calorie packs? Perfect size for a sandwich topping or to share a bit for tacos. Then you aren't stuck with a big container that will turn all brown and icky.

**********

Evening friends! Here at the last " regular" swim meet of the high school season. There is still a "last chance" meet next week, for those hoping to make a States qualifying time, plus States and possibly Meet of Champs for DD, but otherwise her high school swim career is over (although she still has her club team). My, my...those 4 years absolutely flashed by!

Since our team doesn't have a "home pool" and we don't host meets, the girls didn't get a Senior Night...so I brought flowers for our two seniors (DD and a friend). It isn't the same as a big special night with their names announced and all, but I wanted to at least recognize them.

Finished 40 minutes on the TM today, despite a headache. I was pleased with myself for pushing through though.

Off to check on the swimming! .............P

 

[tigger813]

Happy Weekend,

Sad to say that I didn't get in any walking/jogging the last two days but I plan on doing it on Sunday and Monday . I got stuck at work later than scheduled yesterday and then had to get to DD8s school to help set up for an event last night. DD12 had her first middle school dance last night so I had to come home and help her get ready for that and then pick her up again at 9.

Today was a busy day. I had to work from 9-12 and then take my co-worker's daughter to a party, then take DSIL out for her belated b'day lunch. Then DD12 and I had to run some errands and then I had to pick up do-worker's daughter at the party and bring her back to my house. By then I had no energy to do anything!

Tomorrow I have church and a meeting until 1. DD8 has another cold and DD12 is just feeling blah so I will probably go by myself.

Monday I will be taking the girls to get their hair cut and do a few errands and then we'll pick up supper since Dh will be out!

Got some trip planning to do tomorrow. We didn't do anything tonight like we planned so we'll get it done tomorrow night hopefully. 2 Disney trips (well 3, actually)in the works and a trip to NC to see my parents in April.

Bring on February and hopefully I will get my focus back and some normalcy!

TTFN

 

[tarzansmom]

I've lost 21lbs this week without even trying... Of course the stomach flu was kicking my butt but hey met my goal for the month! Trying to look at the bright side.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

.
QOTD Saturday, January 26, 2013: How do you get your five-a-day servings fruit and vegetable? Are there any of these tips that work for you or do you have your own to share?

Good morning, very busy yesterday cleaning my house. My sister and BIL slept over Friday night to help us out and dh did a brake job on BILs "new" truck, (BIL did the heavy lifting of course) Today is vacuum and mop and maybe some carpet cleaning....I am getting my house back together!!!

In order to get my fruits and veggies in, I have to force myself to eat them for snacks. It is not that I do not like fruits and veggies, I love them. I think I am programmed to eat junk food and eating fruits and veggies all time is something I have to get used to. It is just so odd.

I ordered the "Biggest Loser" scale from WalMart. I LOVE IT! Hopefully NOW I will start to see some more weight loss.

I have not had a reg. soda in a few days!!!

I feel thinner and I have lost a few pounds, but then I break out that stupid tape measure and NO CHANGE!!! However I am going to start measuring in CMs, which will help with accuracy.

Happy Planning today WISHERs!!!

 

[lisah0711]

Good morning all!

As we wrap up this challenge and think about the next one it seems like it is a good time to think about goals. Why are we doing what we are doing? Are our goals helping us or are they doing something else?

Here is an excerpt from an article on sparkpeople.com (tomorrow's article will actually come from another source )

Goals that Help, Goals that Hurt
Remember to Think Positive

From the small first steps you take . . . to the long-range visions that shape the new lifestyle you are trying to create, we know that the people who succeed at permanent weight loss are the ones who have chosen their goals wisely and pursued them vigorously.

But how do you know if the goals you set are "wise"i.e., the right goals for you? Setting goals that dont suit you can be the root of much avoidable suffering. You can determine whether your goals are helping you or hurting you in three easy steps:

Step 1: Take a close look at the words that express your goals.
Take a moment to read over your goals. If you keep them written in your head, jot them down on paper quickly before you read further. Done? Now look through your goals for any of the following words: NO, NOT, NEVER, STOP, LOSE, REDUCE, LIMIT, or QUIT. If these negative words (or similar ones) play an important role in the way you have stated your goals, you may be setting yourself up for problems. Words are very powerful! They focus your attention in one area while other possibilities fade away. When words are negative (like those above), their results are negative. When you say, for example, that you will "Stop eating chocolate," what are you really doing? You are focusing your attention on the very thing you want to avoidchocolate. IF going without something you want when it is always on your mind were easy, this might work. But, we all know that "out of sight, out of mind, out of reach" works a lot better.

Step 2: Do your goals deprive you of something you want (or think you want)?
If so, youre just setting yourself up for feelings of deprivation, resentment, and rebelliousness. How many times have you gone a day, a week, or even longer without caving in to a food on your forbidden list, only to find yourself binging on it later, as if out of sheer spite? Contrary to belief, making something off-limits isnt the best way to maintain control. It'll get that 2-year-old inside us really geared up to do battle.

Step 3: Do your goals set you up for failure?
Framing your goals in negative terms creates an all-or-nothing situation, where even one small slip means failure. And we all know where this leads"Well, Ive already blown it, I might as well enjoy it and start over tomorrow," which turns into next week, next month, or next year. Soon you feel like you cant control your own behavior, but arent sure what to do about it.

It all starts with the words.

The great thing about having the capacity for language is that we can use words to help ourselves want what it is best for us to have.

Framing your goals in positive terms makes reaching them that much easier.

Positive words allow you to:

Focus on what you really want, and on what is helpful and achievable. This creates positive energy and momentum instead of feelings of deprivation and resentment.

Adjust your plans when you have the inevitable slip-up or bad day. Instead of giving up when you mess up, you can make small changes to balance things out.

Check in with yourself before you act. Ask yourself if what you are about to eat will help you reach your goals.

Have true freedom of choice, rather than forcing yourself to rely on will power alone. We just arent designed to white-knuckle our way through life, always resisting what we think we really want.

So, go through your goals with a fine-toothed comb, and make sure they are positive. Focus on what you DO want to eat and what you WILL accomplishnot just on how many pounds you want to lose. Keep track of your calories as a necessary tactical measure, but dont confuse going over on any given day with "failure." Theres more going on than what happens on any single day, and well-framed goals can help you keep that in view.


Here is a link to the entire article if you are interested
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/motivation_articles.asp?id=448

Which leads me to the QOTD Sunday, January 27, 2012: Take a look at your goals. Are they framed in positive terms? Do they create positive or negative feelings about this process? Can you revise any of your goals in a way to help you create positive momentum?

BRB with replies.

 

[Rose&Mike]

Which leads me to the QOTD Sunday, January 27, 2012: Take a look at your goals. Are they framed in positive terms? Do they create positive or negative feelings about this process? Can you revise any of your goals in a way to help you create positive momentum?

Good question. I had heard that before about negative words. And even that your brain will take a statement such as "I can't fail this time" and hear I can fail this time. Which is why we should all be thinking--I will succeed.

I think I have been very negative in my own thinking about my goals this time. I am frustrated that I put enough pounds back on that I am going to need new clothes again in the spring if I don't lose at least a few pounds. I am frustrated that it is feeling really hard to me this time.

I have been trying to focus on the positive and not feel like a "failure" but it is a big internal struggle. I can list the positive, I just keep coming back to the negative...I will have to keep working on this.

Positive:
I am in a healthy bmi range--even if I stay at this weight.
I am meal planning and enjoying cooking at home again.
I have three goals--minimum (4 more pounds, very achievable), optimum (10 pounds--where I feel best), and an 18 pound goal--which I am not sure is reasonable, but it's still floating around as a possible goal.
I am running really well injury free, other than the occasional back flareup. I FEEL healthy. My goal I guess really is to get back to a weight where I can relax and enjoy my healthy lifestyle. (It was hard to avoid the negative words. Definitely need to think about this some more.)

Good question Lisa! Thanks!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Which leads me to the QOTD Sunday, January 27, 2012: Take a look at your goals. Are they framed in positive terms? Do they create positive or negative feelings about this process? Can you revise any of your goals in a way to help you create positive momentum?

BRB with replies.

Very, very, nice article. I tweaked it to be more generic, printed it out and am sharing it with the family.

I will really have to look over it an get back with you on the goal thoughts. Thanks for the inspiration!